I think the problem with a lot of the criticism of this movie might be that people go in expecting the wrong thing. Watching all the publicity for the movie recently I’ve been sort of ashamed to find out that I’ve somehow managed to miss out on every Christopher Guest film since This is Spinal Tap, but I still went in ready for comedy, sidesplitting if at all possible. The fact is, it’s not that funny – but to level that as a criticism at the film would be to simply misunderstand it.

Sure, there are lots of laughs along the way – I particularly loved the “Regis and Kelly” style Hollywood show, creepily close to the truth – but I guess that’s the problem, if it’s a problem … this movie really glides perilously close to the edge, so close that it in the end, when Catherine O’Hara says, “I’m comfortable in my own skin,” at the end, it’s far from the comedy most will expect – it’s actually almost shatteringly depressing.

But though at times it’s really mean, at others far too obvious, at every discomfort I was surprised to find myself still laughing. I’d probably rather watch a few episodes of “Extras” and This is Spinal Tap than this, but it certainly wasn’t an almighty waste of time.

BTW, yes I just watched and reviewed two movies on a work day, so yay me.